X-ray apparatus



v1/MEYER- X-RAY APPARATUS. APPLICATION lFILED MAY 31, 1918.

www@ my 129 1.921

W. MEYER.

X-RAY APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 31, 1918. 4 L3@ 1.-. l1 ta/ic. Patented July 129 mi.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 2 UNHTL@ ott-calce.

mLLM/ l MEYER, OF CHECGO, ILLNOIS.

Application filed May 3l,

To oZZ whom t may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM MEYER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in` the county of Cook and State of Illinois. have invented a certain new and useful improvement in X-Ray Apparatus, of which the following is a full, clear, concis-e, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying' drawings, forming a part.` of this specification. A

'My invention relates to X-ray apparatus. More particularly my invention relates to a'n improved generator cabinet and transmission apparatus for X-ray tables and the like. rEhe present application is related. to my co-pcnding` application Serial Number 237.213, filed May 29, 1918, for an improvement in transmission stands.

ln my co-pending application l have described an improved electro therapeutic table which employs two X-ray tubes. rlhis ,table unit, comprising the table and tubes 1s arranged to be movable as an entirety about the laboratory so that it may occupy any desired position. In this and similar apparatus the radiographic` tube is supported abovevthe top of the table where its rays can penetrate the body of the patient lying upon the table top and affect a sensitized plate supported in the table top. The fluoroscopic tube is supported below the table top so that its rays can pass therethrough and through the body of the patient and make a visible exposure on a fluoroscopic -screen disposed about'the table top. Both of t-hese tubesl are adjustable relative to the table, and the top thereof may be inclined to place the patient at any preferred angle convenient for making the examination or exposure. The high tension current for energizing these tubes is generated in a transformer or induction coil which is usually embodied iu what is termed a. generator cabinet. Heretoforc this cabinet has been al relatively permanent fixture and the problem has been to transmit the electrical energy from this permanent cabinet to the tubes on the movable X-ray table.

lt is not feasible to extend leads directly from the cabinet. to the tubes on the table as these leads would be so low as to interfere with nthe operation of' the table from different angles. cult to connect with the fluoroscopic tube beneath the table top in a manner to pre-l vent danger of grounding against the frame Specification of Letters Patent.

They, moreover, are difti- Patented July l2, 1921.

191e. serai no. 237,379.

it takes up and the expensiveness of the` construction, as well as the lack of freedom of movementfof the stand and tube. lt is further desirable that the. purchase of the table and cabinet will represent the total eX- pense of the equipment. ln a word, l find' that there is a demand for a compact, unitary outfit, which demand has so far remained unsatisfied by the ait.

ln the present. invention l dispense entirely with these prior systems of transmission by providing a. very lcompact cabinet which is attachable to the X-ray table whereby both the cabinet and table become movable at a unit. l preferably, though not essentially, control the transformer in the 'cabinet by regulating devices supported on a stand movable independently of the table and cabinet and connected to the cabinet by a flexible cable. Heretofore these regulating devices have formed a part of the generator cabinetadding much to the bulk thereofand required the operator to go to the cabinet to make any adjustment. In the present case the disposal of these regulating devices on an independent stand has materially aided in reducing the size of the cabinet. Furthermore this arrangement facilitates the work of the operator the movable controlling stand enables the operator to regulate the operation of the X-ray tube from any position about the table most convenient/for adjusting and manipulating the tube. As a specific improvement l provide a small size cabinet and transmission tower in a single construction. l provide further a switch for switching the current from the fluoroscopic tube to the radiographic tube, or vice versa, and provide a common control for the switch and for the spark gap. This enables the operator to throw the switch and make the proper spark gap adjustment, all atone operation.

The utility of my invention is not limited to the use with X-ray tables, as it may be used with other types of X-ray apparatus y ,embodiment of my invention to apprise those skilled in the art how to make and use the same.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the generator cabinet and Xd'ay table, showing the controlling stand for the cabinet in perspective; 1 Fig. 2 is a fragmentary elevational view of the cross arm which supports the drop ,leads extending to the radiographic tube;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational Viewlof the generator cabinet and-transmission tower;

' erally similar to that disclosed in my copending application, Serial Number 223,104, filed April 112, 1918, patented March 15, 1921, No. 1,371,507, and 1 shall make a'brief description thereof to illustrate the connections and adjustments of the X-ray tubeson the usual X-ray table.

The table top 2, for supporting the'patient, is adjustably pivote'd between the two parallel side frames 18. The table top may be inclined to any preferred angle and locked bya suitable quadrant lock to place the patient at the proper angle for lmaking the exposure.

On the under side of this table top are arranged guide rails for guiding the tube supporting carriage 5.l This carriage supports a lead glass shield in which is inclosed the luoroscopic X-ray tube 3. The tube carriage ,5 has extensive movement along its guide rails and affords adjustment of the tube 3 longitudinally of the table top, while a second carriage, supported on the first carriage and movable transversely thereof affords adjustment of the tube V3 transversely of the table top. The manner in which these carriages are adjusted yto bring the fluoroscopic tube 3 and fluoroscopic screen 8 in the proper position for making the examination will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

The electrodesl of the tube 3 have connection with the insulated conductors 9 9 which extend out through'brackets 11, depending from the carriage 5 and have eyelets in their ends adapted for connection with the leads 12-12 extending from the generator cabinet 10.

form the terminals of the tube 3 and move with the tube carriages and the table top through their different adjustments.1

The radiographic X-ray tube 14, inclosed in the usual lead glass'sliield, is adjustably iss-e V'the object or part of the body and produce The conductors 9` supported 'i in the frame 15 which may be adjusted vertically and angularly about the tubular supporting standard 16. The standi ard V16 is secured' to guide members 17 'arl range'dt'o roll along the guide rails 18 of the table stand, whereby the tube. supporting standard may be shifted along the length of `the X-raytable. The yrays emanating from the radiographic tube 14 penetrate thrQughfi a shadowgraph thereof byv acting upon a sensitized plate contained in a plate tray supported in guides in the tabl/e top 2. After exposure of the plates therein, thisl tray is withdrawn-from the head Aend of vthe table top, which corresponds to the elevated end as viewed in Fig. 1.

The extending arms 14 of the tube 14 are connected to drop leads 21 which unwind from the spring reels 22 depending from the cross arm 23. This cross arm is secured in the forked end of an oblique bar 24 of T section which is bolted or otherwise secured to thecap 25 closing off the top of the tubuv .lar standard 16. The cross arm 23 is, of

course, of wood or some suitable insulation. The spring reels 22 on this cross arm are adapted to have connection through extensible'leads with the generator cabinet 10, the details of which 1 shall now proceed to describe.

The cabinet 1() comprises the outer casing 26 which houses the transformer and other generating apparatus, the details of which l shall not describe as they have no pertinent relation to the present invention.. A salient featurein the design of this apparatus, however, is its compactness, wherebyl am enabled to inclose it in the relatively small compass shown. Conducive to the same end is the disposal of the regulating controls on the stand 27 These regulating controls consisting of the rheostat and switches,

broadly designated 28, are mounted upon the cabinet 10 through the flexible cable 32'.

The stand 27 may be constructed in any preferred form and of any preferred material. The legs of the stand are provided with caster wheels 33 to facilitate moving of the stand.

Referringragain to the generator cabinet 10,'the cable 32 enters the cabinet throughthe insulating panel 34 upon which is mounted the fuse box 35. The casing 26 is provided with a door 36 (Fig. 3) to permit y access to the interior thereof. The top 37 of the cabinet supports the terminals of the transmission switch which directs the fio-w of high tension current to either the fluoroscopic tube 3 or theradiographic tube 14`. This switch comprises a pair of terminals, 38 Y and 39, centrally disposed on the cabinet top 37, these terminals having connection with the secondary taps from the transformer. A third post 41, alined with the terminals 38 'and 39, but having no internal connection with the transformer,l carries a fixed spark gap electrode 42 which coperates with a companion electrode 43 adjustably mounted in the terminal 39. fin ammeter 44 is provided between the terminals 38 and 41', in series with the spark gap 45, whereby the current flow in the secondary of the transformer can be determined' by shifting the electrode 43 to obtain a discharge across the gap 45. rl`he ammeter 44 is preferably pivoted between the terminals 38 and 41 so that it may be inclined to facilitate the reading of its dial. rlhe electrode 43 is guided in a hole in the terminal 39 and a'A collar 46 sliding thereon has a pin 47 which engages in a. longitudinal groove 43 formed in the electrode 43. rl`he collar 46 supports a switch arm 48, which consists of a section of round rod secured in the co1- lar 46 at one end and having its other end flattened out to form a disk shaped Contact head' 49. Another switch arm 48', similarly formed, is pivoted to the terminal 38 through a Collar 51.

rlhe two switch arms 48 and 48 are held together by a link 52 of hard rubber or other suitable insulation, whichis securely fastenedi to each rod. ln one position the switch arms contact with the contact posts 54 adjacent the front edge of the cabinet and in their other position they contact with the posts 55 adjacent the rear edge of the cabinet. lt will be apparent that the pin and groove construction of the electrode 43 permits reciprocation of the electrode independent of the switch arms 48 to vary the length of the spark gap 45, but upon rotation of the insulating handle 56 the switch arms are thrown from one set of contact posts to the other.

The front pair of contact posts 54 are provided with small holesA in which are clamped the brackets supporting the spring reels 57. Each bracket has an extending pin or the like. lt is from these reels 57 that the leads 1,2-12 unwind and thus it will be apparent that when thek transmission switch is thrown to bring the switch arms upon the tops of the contact posts 54 the How of electrical energy from the transformer is through the leads 12-12 and conductors 9 to the fluoroscopic tube 3. The.

rear pair of contact posts 55 have similar holes in which are clamped the ends of the conductors 58, which extend up through the hollow standard 59 to the spring reels 61. The standards 59, which are preferably constructed of wood, are screwed tothe cabinet casing 26 by the angle brackets 62, The

upper ends of the standards 59 are joined bya wood cross bar 63, which mounts the spring reels 61.y The connectors 58 pass out of the hollow standards 59 adjacent the cross bar 63 and fiiake connection with the binding posts 64`-64 in the cross bar. The

brackets supporting the spring reels 61 have studs or pins which project down into the cross member 63 and contact with the shanks of the binding posts 64. Extensible leads 65 unwind from the reels 61 and hook into screwY eyes 66 secured in the cross arm 23. The eyes 66 extend into the cross arm and contact with the studs which support the brackets of the reels 22. lt will be apparent that when the transmission switch is thrown to bring the switch arms upon the contact posts 55 the radiographic tube 14 will beY included. in the circuit of the secondary winding of the transformer.

"it will be noted that the generator cabinet 10 is attached to the X-ray table 1 by spring clips 68 shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. These clips are screwed to the lower front edge of the cabinet casing 26 and arev composed of resilient sheet metal bent to form the upright hook portion and oblique cam face apparent from Fig. 5. TWhen the generator cabinet 10 is pushed up against the head end of the table as shown, these clips cam down under and hook to a cross bar.

forming part of the supporting stand of the X-ray table. By depressing the oblique ends of the clips 68 with the toe the generator cabinet may be quickly separated from the X-ray table. Caster wheels 69 and 70 on `the transformer cabinet 10, the standards' 59 kof their reels. The tilting of the table top and the adjusting of the lluoroscopic tube relative thereto are likewise accommodated by the extensible leads12. lt will be noted that the top of the cabinet 10 is below the level of the table top 2 when the latter is in a horizontal position, and thus there is no possibility of the leads 12 grounding against the frame of the table top. Furthermore, this permits withdrawal and insertion of the plate tray between the standards 59. .After locating the combined table and cabinet unit the operator moves the controlling stand 27 to such a position about the table as will eninvention.

v able him to both focus the X-rayitube and' varythe intensity of its rays from this one osition. TheA adjusting and shifting of the -ray tube and the shifting of the platechanger carriage I shall not describe, as

these operations are well known inthe art and-have no direct bearing upon the present independent generator cabinet for supplying electrical energyfor an X-rayltube, means for joining said table and said cabinet into a single movable unit, and a plurality of bearing members for facilitating movement. of the table and cabinet overvthe supporting surface.

2. In combination, an X-ray table, and X- ray tube'for said table, a generator cabinet for supplying electrical' energy to the X-ray tube,"said generator cabinet'being a unit complete in itself separate and entirely independent of theA X-ray table, means for joining said separate complete unit and the table'into a single movable unit, and a plurality of bearing members for facilitating movement of the table and cabinet over the supporting surface.

3. In combination, a unitary X-ray table, a unitary generator cabinet complete in itself for supplying electrical energy for a tube or tubes on said table, means for releasably attaching said cabinet to said table whereby Yboth will be movable as a unit, and a plurality of bearing members for facilitating' movement of the table and cabinet over the supporting surface.

4. In combination, an X-ray table, a generator cabinet for supplying electrical energy to a tube or tubes on said table, a tower for leading overhead conductors/to an X'- vray tube mounted above the table, said tower vbeing connected' to said cabinet, and means for joining the cabinet and the table into a single movable unit.

5. In combination, a self-supporting X- ray table and tube stand, said stand having a tube thereon, a self-supporting cabinet and transmission towercomprising a cabinet for inclosing generating means for X-ray tubes and a tower for leading the current overhead through said tube, and means to connect the cabinet vto the head 0f' the X- neer-,rae

ray stand and means for supplying currentI from the cabinet to the X-ray tube or tubes mounted on the stand and table.

tube mounted above the top of the table, "a generator cabinet for supplying electrical energy to the said'X-ray tube, said cabinet having an upwardly `extending tower or standard, a terminal at the upper vend of said tower or standard, a conductor leading from said terminal through .the standard to the electrical apparatus within the generatorcabinet, extensible leads extending from said terminal to the X-ray tube and means for attaching the cabinet to the table.

7. In combination,l an 4X-ray table, an X- ray tube disposed above the top of the table, a generator cabinet-for supplying electrical energyto the X-ray tube, the top of said cabinet being below the level of the table top, an upwardly extending sta dard secured to the cabinet, a set of connec r terminals on the upperv end of said standard adapted'to have electrical connection with Athe cabinet, extensible leads extending from said terminals to said X-ray tube, spring take up means for said leads and means for attachcabinet and table will be movable as a unit.

8. In combination, a self-supporting X- ray table, a self-supporting cabinet and' and a tower for leading the current over head, means to connect ,the cabinet to the head of the X-ray table, a controller mounted in a movable cabinet for controlling the generation of current for X-rays, said controller being connected to the generating cabinet by a flexible cable and being movable to permit of regulationof the current while theoperator is standing in proximity to the X-ray tube, at the table. l

9. In combination, a unitary X-ray table and tube stand, said tube stand being adapted to carry an X-ray tube above the top of the table, said stand being adjustablealong,y

the length of the table, a generating cabinet having means for generating current for said X-ray tube, a transmission -tower mounted on said cabinet for leading the current for said X-ray tube overhead, and a movable controlled cabinet connected to the generating cabinet by a flexible cable, said controller cabinet being movable about the table and stand to permit the opera-tor to control the current vfor the X-ray tubefrom any point about the table.

10. In combination, a unitary X-ray table having a table top for makingr-X-ray .ex-i posures, said table having a tubestand and' tube, a unitary generator cabinet for supplying electrical energy to said tube, means for, attaching said cabinet to said table,

whereby the said table land cabinet will be mo *able as a. unit, the top of said cabinet being below the level ot the table top at all times, so as not to interterefwith the operation ol the saine.

11. ln combination, a movable X-ray table having a pivoted table top, anv adjustable X-ray stand and tube for the table to'p tor radiographic work guided along the table, an adjustable X-ray tube guided along the lower side ot the table top tor radiographic work, a self-supporting cabinet and transmission means tor generating and transmitting current to either one ot the X-ray tubes for all positions ot the table top, and a portable controlling device adapted to be moved to any convenient point about the table and controlling leads running trom the device to the 'cabinet for controlling the current supplied to either one of the X-ray tubes while the operator is standing` adjacent any desired point about the table.

1Q. n combination, an X-ray table, X- ray tubes on said table, a generator cabinet tor supplying electrical energy to said tubes` said table and cabinet being mechanically connected together to be movable as a unitwithout disturbing the electrical connections between the cabinet and thel tubes on the table, said cabinet having conductors leading from the cabinet to the tubes, and a stand having controlling devices for regulating the operation of said generator cabinet, said stand being movable about said table, and conductors connecting the controlling devices with the generator cabinet.

13. ln combination, an X- ray table having an X-ray tube adjustable with respect thereto, a generator cabinet comprising generating apparatus for supplying electrical.

energy to said tube, andl transmission mechanism tor transmitting the current to said tube, said table and said cabinet being mechanically joined to be movable as a single unit1 whereby the electrical transmitting mechanism remains undisturbed during operations oit the table or tube, and a. stand independent ot said table and said cabinet, said stand being movable about the table and having regulating devices tor regulating the operation of said X-ray tube.

14e. 1n combination, a generator cabinet having an upwardly extending standard mechanically connected thereto, a set of connector terminals on said cabinet, a set ot overhead connector terminals on the top ot said standard and switching means on the cabinet operable to connect either set ot said connector terminals with the generating apparatus in the cabinet. y

15. ln combination, a unitary generator cabinet, a pair of standards extending upwardly from said cabinet, a pair of connector terminals on said cabinet, a second pair said cabinet, a first pair ol spring reels mounted on said cabinet, a second pair ot spring reels mounted on said standards, a pair otl live terminals on said cabinet, a. tirst pair ot switch contacts connected to said first pair ot spring reels, a second pair ot switch contacts connected to said'second pair ot spring reels, and 'switch arms pivoted on said live terminals and adapted to contact with either pair of said switch contacts.

17. n combination, an X-ray table, a standard adjacent said table, an X-ray tube mounted on said standard, a cross member extending laterally from saidstandard, connector terminals on said cross. member, leads extending from said terminals to said X- ray tube, a generator cabinet attached to the end ot said X-ray table, a transmission tower on said cabinet, a set of connector terminals adjacent the top ot said transmission tower, leads extending from said connector terminals to the connector terminals on said cross member, a second set ot connector terminals on said generator cabinet, leads extending trom said second set of terminals to a second X-ray tube beneath said X-ray table, a transmission switch operable to connect either set ot said connec-` tor terminals with the generating apparatus in said cabinet, and a controlling stand having electrical connection with said gen erator cabinet but movable independently thereof, said controlling stand having regulating devices. for controlling the operation ot said generator cabinet.

18. A, unitary generator cabinet for supplying electrical energy to the -ray tubes on a movable X-ray table, said generator cabinet being adapted to have mechanical attachment to said. X-ray tablev and having overhead transmission means 'tor transmitting current to an overhead X-ray tube Afor all positions of the table or of said tube and having other transmission means for transmitting current to an X-ray tube under the table for all positions ot the table or said X-ray tube, and controlling means movable independently of said cabinet and table tor regulating the operation ot said generator cabinet.

19. ln combination, a pair ot X-ray tribes, a source of current for said tubes, an adjustable spark gap across the source of current, a switch for connecting the source of the table or table top.

rotary movement, and an adjustable sparkgap across said source, said spark gap being adapted for adjustment axially of said switch.

22. In combination, an -X-ray tube, a source ofcurrent, 'a switch for connecting and disconnecting said source to and from' said tube, said switch comprising va set of terminals having connection with said source, said switch being adapted for rotary'movement about said terminals, and a sp'ark'gap between said terminals, said spark gap beingadjustable axially of said switch.

23. In combination, an -ray table havy I ing a pivoted table top, a radiographic X- ray tube above the table top, a luoroscopic tube below the table top said tubes being mechanically guided on'suitable parts of the table, a cabinet connected to the table, said cabinet having self-supporting transmission means for supplying current to said X-ray tubes as desired for all positions of 24. In combination, an X-ray table having a pivoted table top, a radiographic X- ray tube above the table top, a luoroscopic tube below the table top said tubes being mechanically guided on suitable parts of the table, a cabin'et connected-to lthe table, said cabinet having self-supporting transmise 25. In combination, an X-ray table, anv auxiliary. apparatus cabinet, a plurality ofspring clips attached to an edge of the said cabinet said clips being composed of resilient sheet metal and comprising an .upright hook portion and an oblique cam face, a coperating catch member on the said,taA

ble adapted `to be engaged by the said cam .face when said cabinet land the said table are forced together, the said hook portionf being then adapted to latch the said catch member, and an extension of the said clips adapted to be engaged by the foot of operator to depress thev said clips to' release the said table and cabinet.

26. In combination, a pair of structures comprising a table and a cabinet, easter wheels' on the said structures to support the same and upon which the said structures may be moved, a spring clip comprising an upright latch portion, an oblique cam face portion, and a lever portion .attached to one of the said structures, a coperating catch member on the other of the said structures, said catch member being adapted to engage the said cam face of the said spring clip when the said structures .are forced together to cause saidv latch portion of the said clip thereafter to snap into engagement said table and the said cabinet together,

said lever arm member being Aadapted to be with the said catch lmember to fasten the 

